Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert implied after fouling out Friday night that sports betting is influencing how games are officiated in the NBA.
Late in the fourth quarter, with Minnesota up 97–96 on the Cleveland Cavaliers, Gobert fouled out after committing an offensive foul with 27.8 seconds left. The center immediately made a money gesture at the referees, resulting in a one-shot technical foul for Cleveland.
Cavaliers guard Darius Garland went on to make the free throw to send the game to overtime. Cleveland would go on to win the game 113–104.